Protective case for a computing device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A method of protecting a computing device is provided including detachably connecting a leading edge of a base portion of the computing device to one or more device receiving members of a first portion of a case. The trailing edge of the base portion is secured to the first portion of the case. The first portion of the case may substantially envelope the base portion of the computing device and a plurality of perimetral fastening members may be detachably connected to a second portion of the case. The perimetral fastening members may detachably connect to perimetral edges of a screen portion of the computing device. A protective shell may be formed around the computing device by pivoting adjoining edges of the first and second portions of the case about a linking pliable member in communication with the trailing edge of the computing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/140,546 filed on Jan. 4, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,467,629, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/761,536 filed Mar.20, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,884,453, which is a national stage entryof International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/054870 filedSep. 30, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/239,280, filed Oct. 9, 2015, the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to protective cases for computingdevices and more particularly, protective cases for mobile computingdevices such as smart phones, tablets, PDAs, and laptops.

BACKGROUND

With increasing regularity, protective cases are being constructed for avariety of computing devices such as smart phones, tablets, PDAs and/orother portable computing devices. Their respective designs vary, rangingbetween degrees of protection as well as facilitating use of thecomputing device in a more protected environment.

Cases have been known to be constructed from molding using silicon orthermoplastic polyurethane rubber that provides some basic protectionagainst drops and scratches. Other case designs have been constructedfrom relatively stiffer injected plastics such as polycarbonate. Thedesign and construction of the known cases therefore vary depending onthe desired amount of protection, costs, and consideration for certainmaterials and mounting schemes balanced with features that facilitateperformance of the computing device itself. For example, certainmaterial may provide basic structural protection and be relativelycheap, but this material may induce too much friction (e.g. grip) to theuser that interferes with easy attachment of the case with the device orgrip with other articles such as parts of the user's body or otherobjects foreign to the case.

In addition to material selection, cases can suffer from being too bulkyand difficult to stow away. It is also known that materials for certaincases can degrade over time thereby diminishing protective capabilitiesof the case as well as loosening its attachment with the computingdevice. Aesthetically, a worn case also diminishes the overallimpression of the case and the attached computing device. Such cases canalso have reduced bulk versus their rubber counterparts. Plasticinjected mold cases can suffer from passing on relatively high materialstresses to the computing device itself due to the differing elasticityand cushioning. For computing devices with sensitive displays or inputdevices, such protective devices therefore may not be desirous.

Certain hybrid combinations have therefore been designed to combine eachapproach with the softer, cushion portions being placed in communicationwith the computing device whereas the exterior portion being constructedfrom the less bulky, injected plastic. Yet, even with these hybridsolutions, stress tests to the computing devices caused by normal usethrough drops or collisions can lead to device damage and caseseparation. In turn, the user may have to fix the device, buy a new one,and/or re-assemble the case with the computing device. Furthermore, manycases fail to completely protect or envelope the associated computingdevice which unnecessarily risks structural harm to the computingdevice.

Therefore, a need exists to resolve these and other problems in the art.

SUMMARY

The following simplified summary is provided in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. Thissummary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form asa prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

A case for a computing device may include first and second portions. Thefirst portion may be operatively connected to the second portion andeach portion may have an internal device receiving surface and anexternal device protecting surface. One or more device receiving membersmay be disposed on the first portion. A plurality of perimetralfastening members may be disposed on the second portion and eachperimetral fastening member may be operable to detachably fasten to thecomputing device.

Perimetral edges of the first and second portions may be operable toflex outwardly when detachably fastening to and securely enveloping thecomputing device. At least one of the perimetral fastening members maybe centrally positioned on an upper edge of the second portion.

In some embodiments, at least one perimetral fastening member that is aninwardly extending lip. The one or more perimetral fastening members maybe operable to flex outwardly. The inwardly extending lip may alsosecure the computing device when the computing device is incommunication with the device receiving surface of the second portion.

At least two of the perimetral fastening members may be corner fasteningmembers disposed in opposing corners of the second portion. In thisembodiment, the corner fastening members may extend outwardly from thedevice protecting surface and terminate in a lip portion to secure thecomputing device. An inwardly extending portion of the lip portion inthis embodiment may be operable to form a friction fit with thecomputing device. Each corner fastening member may include a centralportion extending outwardly further than and disposed betweencorresponding shoulder portions of each fastening member. Each cornerfastening member may also be structurally reinforced with and operableto reduce impact and shock to the computing device when enveloped by thecase. In certain embodiments, the corner fastening member may beconstructed from material more rigid than a remainder of the secondportion.

In other embodiments, the internal device receiving surfaces and theexternal device protecting surfaces of each portion may be flexiblyconnected along adjoining edges through a linking member such as apliable fastening member. The linking member may extend at least acrossone-half length of a total length of the adjoining edges but may alsoextend less than or greater than one-half as needed or desired. Thelinking member may extend partially into a recess of each of the firstand second portions. In this embodiment, the case may be operable topivot or rotate about an axis of the linking member between closed andopen states. The linking member may be constructed from one or acombination of a polymer, elastomer, fabric, and plastic and/or may beintegrally formed with the first and second portions of the case ordetachably connected to one or both of the first and second portions.

In certain embodiments, the first portion can also include a pluralityof perimetral fastening members. In the closed state, centrallypositioned perimetral fastening members on opposing lateral edges of thefirst and second portion may be in communication to form a shell definedbetween adjoining external device protecting surfaces of the first andsecond portions. The shell may be formed to form a protective bubble orenclosure for securely housing the computing device.

In other embodiments, an external shield portion may be integrallyformed with or detachably connected to the first or second portions ofthe case. The external shield portion may include one or a plurality ofimpact resistant corners or perimetral members. The one or plurality ofimpact resistant or resilient portions may be constructed from foam, apolymer, or an elastomer.

Optionally, the external device protecting surface may be constructedwith a reinforced honeycomb design. The case is not so limited, however,and the case may instead be constructed from a single material. Theperimetral edge may be operable to flex outwardly and remaining portionsof the external device protecting surface are impact resistant.

The case may optionally include one or more cutout or window portionsdisposed on perimetral edges of the first or second portions providingaccess to actuators of the computing device and/or visibility to one ormore optical systems of the computing device. The external deviceprotecting surfaces and the perimetral edges of the first and secondportions may also be integrally formed with or detachably connected toeach other.

In other embodiments, perimetral edges of the first and second portioneach may extend away from respective external device protecting surfacesand terminate in an inwardly extending lip. The perimetral edge may alsobe operable to flex outwards and the inwardly extending lip may beoperable to securely retain the computing device.

In other embodiments, a case for protecting a computing device isprovided with first and second portions. The first portion may beoperatively connected to a second portion through a linking member alongan adjoining edge of the first and second portions, each portion havingan internal device receiving surface and an external device protectingsurface. The linking member may be operable to permit the first andsecond portions to move between closed and open states. In the closedstate, opposing lateral edges of the first and second portions may be incommunication thereby forming a protective shell for the computingdevice defined between adjoining external device protecting surfaces ofthe first and second portions. One or more device fastening members maybe disposed on each of the first and second portions. The linking membermay be integrally formed with the first and second portions of the caseor detachably connected to one or both of the first and second portions.

A method of protecting a computing device is also disclosed herein. Themethod may include detachably connecting a leading edge of a baseportion of the computing device to one or more device receiving membersof a first portion of a case; securing a trailing edge of the baseportion of the computing device to the first portion of the case, thefirst portion of the case operably to substantially envelope the baseportion of the computing device; and detachably connecting a pluralityof perimetral fastening members of a second portion of the case to oneor more perimetral edges of a screen portion of the computing device.

The method may also include forming a protective shell around thecomputing device by pivoting adjoining edges of the first and secondportions of the case about a linking pliable member in communicationwith the trailing edge of the computing device; securing an upper edgeof the screen portion to the perimetral fastening members; andpositioning the upper edge of the screen portion in communication withthe leading edge of the base portion of the computing device so thatexternal protective surfaces of the first and second portions of thecase are generally flush.

The method may also include recessing the linking pliable member intothe first and second portions of the case and/or positioning at leastone of the perimetral fastening members between corners of the secondportion. The method may also include detachably connecting an upper edgeof the screen portion to one of the perimetral fastening memberscentrally positioned on a corresponding upper edge of the secondportion.

A variety of methods and systems of utilizing and assembling thedisclosed case is also contemplated in a variety of situations andenvironments. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with thefollowing description and the annexed drawings. These aspects areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimedsubject matter is intended to include all such aspects and theirequivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparentfrom the following detailed description when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a forward perspective view of the herein described protectivecase for a computing device in an opened state.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the herein described protectivecase for a computing device in an opened state.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of a portion of the case of FIGS.1-2 .

FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the case of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the portion of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the portion of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the case of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of the case of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

FIG. 9 is a right side plan view of the case of FIG. 1 in a closedstate.

FIG. 10 is a left side plan view of the case in a closed state.

FIG. 11 is a close up view of the internal service of the portion ofFIG. 3 .

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective of the leading edge of an exemplarycomputing device being connected to the case of FIGS. 1-11 .

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of trailing edge of the exemplarycomputing device being connected to the case of FIGS. 1-11 .

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the screen portion of theexemplary computing device being connected to the case of FIGS. 1-11 .

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 ,wherein the case and computing device are depicted in a closed state.

FIG. 16 is a close up view of an exemplary fastening member of oneembodiment of the case in communication with the leading edge of thecomputing device.

FIG. 17 is a close up view of another exemplary fastening member of oneembodiment of the case in communication with the leading edge of thecomputing device.

FIG. 18 is a close up view of one exemplary fastening member of oneembodiment of the case in communication with the upper edge of thescreen portion of the computing device.

FIG. 19 is a close up view of other exemplary fastening members of oneembodiment of the case in communication with the upper edge of thescreen portion of the computing device.

FIG. 20 is a dose up view of an exemplary fastening member of oneembodiment of the case, wherein the case and computing device are in adosed state.

FIG. 21 is a dose up view of an exemplary linking member disposedbetween adjoined portions of one embodiment of the herein disclosedcase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The features of the presently disclosed solution may be economicallymolded or assembled by using one or more distinct parts and associatedcomponents which, may be assembled together for removable or integralapplication with a known or to-be-designed computing device case in aneconomical manner, wherein the features of the present disclosure mayform the herein disclosed servicing apparatus regardless of theparticular form. Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notationsand other scientific terms or terminology used herein have the samemeaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this disclosure belongs.

Terms with commonly understood meanings may be defined herein forclarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of suchdefinitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent asubstantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. Allpatents, applications, published applications and other publicationsreferred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If adefinition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwiseinconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, application,published applications and other publications that are hereinincorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this sectionprevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, 11a” or 11an” means 11at least one” or “one or more.” Asused herein, the term “user”, “subject”, “end-user” or the like is notlimited to a specific entity or person. For example, the term “user” mayrefer to a person who uses the systems and methods described herein, andfrequently may be a technician. However, this term is not limited to endusers or technicians and thus encompasses a variety of persons who canuse the disclosed systems and methods.

The disclosed solution can now be better understood turning to thefollowing detailed description. It is to be expressly understood thatthe illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way oflimitations on the embodiments as ultimately defined in the claims. Anembodiment in accordance with the present disclosure provides a coverfor a computing device such as a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet or anyother portable computing device. The cover can be made of multipleparts, integrally formed therewith or detachable.

It is understood that “computing device” can mean any device such as alaptop, a smart phone, a tablet computing device, PDAs or the like.

“Shield” as used herein with the disclosed case can mean to protect,wrap around, or envelope a corresponding computing device in a mannerthat conceals the computing device from: injuries during a drop oraccident such as by impact or collision; scrapes and scratches during orbetween uses; and/or other injuries to the outer surfaces and internalmechanisms of the device.

“Impact resistant” or “impact resistance” as it relates to the hereindisclosed case features can mean any feature designed to withstandapplied forces or related shock across the disclosed case and any devicehoused therein. Accordingly, features or materials described herein asproviding impact resistance or being impact resistant utilize materialproperties and/or structural design of the case directed towardsmitigating the effects of expected events in the life-cycle of the caseand corresponding computing device that incur impact (e.g. drops,collisions, accidents, etc).

“Honeycomb design” as described herein is contemplated to signify anynatural or man-made structure such as a plastic injected mould orcomposite sandwich structure that includes geometry of a honeycomb. Thisstructure may reinforce structural integrity in the feature it isincluded and/or may also allow the minimization of the amount of usedmaterial to optimize feature weight and material costs.

The herein disclosed solution described a case capable of exhibiting theshock resistant benefits of a case with elastomeric edges, corners orother outer portions combined with the consumer usability benefits of aresilient outer case such as relatively stronger plastics. The hereindescribed solution may also be a composite case with some combination ofone or more elastic materials with one or more harder, resilientmaterials, such as injection molded plastic and/or rubber, in a way thatforms a permanent bond therebetween resulting in a protective systemthat sufficiently securely retains and protects a computing device inmost operating conditions including, but not limited to, the standardsset forth by MIL-STD 810G, 506.6 VI. The herein disclosed solution alsocontemplates a composite case in which the geometric shape of theconstituent components maximizes overall structural strength and impactresistance while minimizing material weight and size.

For simplicity and illustration purposes only, the presently disclosedcase 10 is depicted for use with a laptop 100 though the solution is notso limited and could be used with other referenced computing devices asunderstood in the context of this disclosure and other numerous consumerelectronic devices, wherein case 10 would employ similar details,features and benefits. Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a case 10having upright portion 20 and base portion 30 in an opened state. Inthis respect, portions 20 and 30 may be directly attached to each otheror linked between a linking member 5 as described more particularlybelow. Each of portions 20 and 30 have device receiving surfaces 21 and31 disposed internal to respective portions 20 and 30. Surfaces 21 and31 may be constructed from different or the same material as remainingsurfaces of portions 20 and 30 and may be relatively rigid and/orcomprise materials operable to reduce impact applied to external deviceprotecting surfaces 27 and 37.

Regarding portion 30, one or more device receiving fastening members maybe positioned along its forward or lateral edges. Preferably, a centralreceiving fastening member 36 is positioned on the leading edge ofportion 30 and operable to securely receive the corresponding leadingedge of device 100 when slidably and/or detachably received by portion30. Portion 30 may also include one or more peripheral leading edgereceiving fastening members. Members 35 and/or 36 may extend away fromsurface 37 and preferably terminate in a device retaining portion. In apreferred embodiment, members 35 and 36 including an inwardly extendingportion operable to receive and secure the leading edge of device 100.Portion 30 may also included a peripheral edge that guides each of thecorresponding lateral edges of device 100 until device 100 contacts andis secured to members 35 and/or 36.

While it is preferred that members 35 and/or 36 be relatively rigidand/or include impact resistant materials, the herein disclosed case 10is not so limited. Instead, as seen more particularly in FIG. 12 ,device 100 may be slid or otherwise guided along portion until itsleading edge is in communication with members 36 and 35. One or both ofmembers 35 and 36 may be capable of securely retaining device 100 atthis point. Members 35 and 36 may have an inwardly extending portionthat retains device 100 as described, case 10 is not so limited andmembers 35 and 36 may instead include grip inducing members, bolts,couplings, cables, clamps, hooks, hook and loop fasteners or the like.

Portion 30 may also include peripheral guide members 32 positioned alongperimetral edges of portion 30 to guide corresponding members 35 and 36.Members 32 may also fasten, secure, or otherwise retain device 100 inportion 30. Preferably, portion 32 may be positioned apart from butcomprise an extending (e.g., lip) surface oriented in the same generalplane of direction as surface 31 to form a guide between which device100 can be slid. Portion 30 may be flexible, locally or generally, whenportions of device 100 are inserted, contacted, or otherwise incommunication with members 32, 35, and 36. In one embodiment, portion 30may flex outwardly, inwardly, or some combination thereof as needed toconform and securely receive device 100. It should also be noted thatflexing of one edge does not necessarily cause opposing edges of thesame portion 30 to flex.

Turning to portion 20, it can be seen that device receiving surface 21is positioned internal to and surrounding by perimetral edges withassociated fastening or support members. Portion 20 is preferablydesigned to securely receive and provide impact resistance andprotection to a screen portion of device 100, wherein the screen may behingedly or otherwise connected to a keyboard or capacitive inputportion of device 100 either directly or indirectly (e.g. wirelessly)that is securely received by portion 30. Portion 20 may have the same orsimilar material properties as portion 30 or portion 20 may besubstantially more impact resistant than portion 30.

Portion 20 may have one or any number of fastening members to rapidlyand easily secure the screen to portion 20. Preferably, a centralfastening member 26 is positioned along an upper edge of portion 20between upper corners of portion 20. Member 26 may extend outwardly fromsurface 21 and including an inwardly extending lip or planar portionoperable to communicate with and mechanically secure the correspondingupper edge of the screen of device 100. It is understood that surface 21may be operable to contact the outer, protective surface of the rearportion of screen so that the display portion of the screen is orientedaway from portion 20.

One or more corners of portion 20 may include a corner fastener member24 operable to securely, detachably, and/or rapidly fasten tocorresponding corners of the screen. Member 24 may be constructed from arelatively impact resistant material that may be flexible and/orelastic. In this regard, member 24 may securely fasten the screen ofdevice 100 as well as mitigate any damage resulting from loads orunexpected impact applied to its upper corners. Member 24 may include acorner retaining portion so that when the corner of the screen is passedalong or adjacent to member 24, member 24 may outwardly flex until thecorner of the screen is in communication with surface 21. Member 24 maythen be released back towards surface 21 to secure the corner of thescreen positioned therebetween.

Member 24 may include an inwardly extending portion or lip retaininggroove or pocket for receiving screen. Adjacent to member 24 may be oneor more peripheral corner fastening members 25. Members 25 may extendaway from surface 21 and may also including an inwardly extendingportion or lip retaining groove for receiving and securing the screen ofdevice 100. Members 25 may be planar with corresponding member 24.Members 25 may include the same or similar elastic and/or flexiblematerials as member 24 and may be detachable with surface 21 orintegrally formed therewith. Preferably, however, member 24 may extendfurther than member 25 and may be formed of a different material thanmember 25. For example, member 25 may be constructed from materialshaving different resistance properties or resiliency. In a preferredembodiment, the lip retaining groove of member 25 is generally planarwith member 24 so that a secure, friction fit may be formed andsupported between the perimetral edge of the screen and members 24 and25.

However, case 10 is not so limited and members 25 and 28 may be designedso that the screen of device 100 does not contact either in a closedstate. In other words, device 100 may be free floating with the onlyengaged portion being the other side of case 10. In this embodiment,peripheral fastener member 22 may contact the screen portion of device100.

Peripheral fastener members 22 may also be positioned along one or bothlateral edges of portion 20 to securely and quickly engage with thelateral edges of the screen of device 100. Members 22 may also includean outwardly extending portion operably to engage with device 100through, for example, a lip retaining portion or groove.

In FIG. 2 , external device protecting surfaces 27 and 37 of respectiveportions 20 and 30 can be seen. As can be seen, some or all of theforegoing fastening members of portion 20 may be integrally connectedthrough a single piece of impact resistant and/or elastomeric materialpositioned along the perimeter of portion 20. In this respect, loadsapplied to one or more of the foregoing fastening members of portion 20may be distributed while the relatively, more rigid remaining portionsof the external device protecting surface 27 may be operable to maintainstructural integrity of case 10 during use such as a drop or an impact.For example, case 10 in a closed state may be formed in a shell, bubble,or be otherwise bowed to protect from impact.

Portion 30 may also include one or more shock resistant pedestals 3 tostructurally support portion 30 and any device 100 housed therein.Surface 37 may include any pattern or array of cutout features to trimweight and/or provide cooling ducts for intake into a thermal managementsystem of device 100 or otherwise provide ventilation to device 100while still maintaining structural integrity therein. Pedestals 3 may beremovably attached to portion 30 or integrally formed therewith.Pedestals 3 may also include grip inducing surfaces disposed on itslower portion.

As can also be seen, portions 20 and 30 may be hingedly or pivotallyconnected along adjoining edges so that case 10 is capable of movingbetween an opened state (FIG. 1 ) or a closed position (FIGS. 3-4 )through adjoining linking member 5. Linking member 5 may preferably bepliable and attached in recesses of each of portions 20 and 30. However,case 10 is not so limited and instead member 5 may be rigid and capableof biasing between open and closed states about a respective rotationalaxis aligned with adjoined edges of portions 20 and 30. Member 5 may beconstructed from one or a combination of a polymer, elastomer, fabric,and plastic and may measure at least one half of the total edge lengthof portions 20 and 30.

FIG. 3 depicts a similar embodiment but instead case 10 is now in aclosed state such that portion 20 and specifically surface 27 andcorresponding fastening members and linking member 50 can be seen. FIG.5 depicts a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 . In contrast,FIG. 4 depicts case 10 of FIG. 3 but turned over so that portion 30 canbe similarly seen. Similarly, FIG. 6 depicts a bottom plan view of theembodiments of FIG. 4 . As can be seen, case 10 in the closed state ofFIGS. 3-4 forms an inner, protective shell operable to securely retain,envelope, and shield a computing device 100.

FIG. 7 depicts a front side view of case 10 in a dosed state. In thisrespect, differing depths of lip portions of members 24 and 25 arevisible as well as spatial relationships between members 26 and 36 whendevice 100 may be securely housed inside dosed case 10. In contrast,FIG. 8 depicts a rear side view of case 10 so that member 5 can beclearly seen linked around and/or wrapping engaged with each of portions20 and 30. Differing depths of member 28 as compared its extension awayfrom surface 21 of portion 20 can also be seen. FIG. 9 depicts anexemplary case 10 also in a closed state from a right plan view. In thisrespect, members 22 may be seen in terms of exemplary depth ofrespective lip retaining portions as well as one manner in which members22 may be connected to each other as well as members 24 and 25. FIG. 10depicts the opposite side of case 10 also in a closed state, whereincase 10 in this embodiment is symmetric with the embodiments depicted inFIG. 9 . However, case 10 is not so limited and each of its sides andfeatures may not be symmetrically positioned or aligned as needed orrequired to quickly and easily attach and protect any number of devices100.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a close up an exemplary portion 20to more clearly depict optional depths and positions of previouslydescribed fastening members in relation to surface 21. As can be seen,optional trimmed portions or slits may be positioned between members 25and 24 to permit increased outward and/or inward flexing when detachablysecuring device 100 thereto.

Portions 20 and/or 30 may also include any number optional cutoutwindows and/or actuator surfaces or cutouts positioned along respectiveperimeter edges. Such features may be formed by being trimmed or cuttherefrom by the end-user or by being integrally formed therewithaccording to particular device 100.

In a preferred embodiment, a method of protecting device 100 isdisclosed for use with case 10. Specifically, FIG. 12 depicts aperspective of the leading edge of an exemplary computing device beingconnected to case 10 being securely engaged with members 35 and 36.After being slid, engaged or fastened with members 35 and 36, the baseof device 100 be positioned in contact with surface 31 as seen in FIG. 3. Members 32 may have flexed outwardly during engagement until itsupper, lip retaining portion is situated on top of the base of device100. Having secured the base of device 100 to portion 30, FIG. 14depicts adjoining portion 20 having been moved about adjoining edges ofportions 20 and 30 through member 5 until fastening members of portion20 are secured to device 100. As seen, portion 20 may be moved by beingpivoted, rotated, or flexibly translated about member 5 until members22, 24, 25, and 28 securely and rapidly fasten to the screen of device100. Finally, FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of device 100 havingbeen secured to case 10 and in a closed state so that device 100 iscompletely shielded and enveloped by the protective shell formed betweenportions 20 and 30.

FIG. 16 depicts a close up view of member 35 being disposed adjacent toa corner of portion 30 and corresponding corner of the leading edge ofdevice 100. Similarly, FIG. 17 depicts a close up view of exemplarymember 36 in communication with the leading edge of device 100. In thisrespect, preferred depths that members 35 and/or 36 extend away fromsurface 31 can be seen but members 35 and/or 36 are not so limited andany number of depths and/or device retaining portions may be included asneed or desired.

FIG. 18 depicts a close up view of exemplary member 26 in communicationwith the upper edge of the screen portion of device 100. Similarly, FIG.19 depicts a close up view of members 22, 24, 25, and 26 incommunication with the upper edge of the screen portion of device 100.In this respect, preferred and/or ratios of depths as between members22, 24, 25, and 26 that respective members may extend away from surface31 is depicted but members 22, 24, 25, and/or 26 are not so limited andany number of depths, slits, and/or device retaining portions may beincluded as need or desired.

Finally, FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary members 26 and 36 when case 10 anddevice 100 are in a closed state and FIG. 21 depicts a close up view ofan exemplary member 5 disposed between adjoined portions 20 and 30 ofone embodiment of the herein disclosed case 10. To release the secureengagement between portions 20 and 30 from each other and/orcorresponding device 100, a predetermined force or movement may beapplied to respective fastening members so that portions 20 and/or 30may be moved about member 5 and/or release device 100 away from case 10entirely.

It is to be understood the portions 20 and 30 preferably completely orsubstantially envelope device 100 when device 100 is securely engagedtherewith and case is in a closed state. This is particularlyadvantageous in the art as no ancillary features or stands are requiredto customize the computing experience with a particular device 50,safely transport said device 50 between operating environments, whileultimately protecting from the expected and unexpected accidents thattend to occur with computing devices.

Portions 20 and 30 may be integrally formed with each other or may bedetachable as needed or preferred. Preferably, portion 20 and itsfeatures may be constructed from an injection molded TPU rubber butportion 20 is not so limited and it may be fabricated from a variety ofmaterials. As can be seen throughout this disclosure, when device 100 isreceived and securely retained by portion 20 of case 10, case 10 andcorresponding device 100 are substantially coexistive so that case 10sufficiently protects device 100 and avoids injurious actions befallingdevice 100, including impacts, sharp objects, shock and scratches to thegraphical user interface, display screen, or outer surfaces of device100. As can be seen, case 10 can easily and securely retain device 100while also having the capability to secure device 100 in case 10 duringa variety of operating environments including, but not limited to, anaccidental or intentional drop. Advantageously, the described case 10amply protects device 100 yet does not interfere with access to buttons,ports, or the device 100's graphical display.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to not only include thecombination of elements which are literally set forth. It is alsocontemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements maybe made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a singleelement may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Althoughelements may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood thatone or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases beexcised from the combination and that the claimed combination may bedirected to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination(s).

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include whatis specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptuallyequivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporatesthe essential idea of the embodiments.

What has been described above includes examples of one or moreembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill inthe art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations ofvarious embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodimentsare intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications andvariations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A case for a computing device, the casecomprising: a first portion operatively connected to a second portion,each portion having an internal device receiving surface and an externaldevice protecting surface; and a plurality of corner fastening membersoperable to detachably fasten to the computing device, wherein eachcorner fastening member includes a central portion disposed betweencorresponding shoulder portions, and wherein for each corner fasteningmember, the central portion is operable to flex outwardly whendetachably fastening to and securely enveloping a corner portion of thecomputing device.
 2. The case of claim 1, further comprising: one ormore device receiving members disposed on the first portion; and aplurality of perimetral fastening members disposed on the secondportion, each perimetral fastening member operable to detachably fastento the computing device, wherein perimetral edges of the first andsecond portions are operable to flex outwardly when detachably fasteningto and securely enveloping a perimetral portion of the computing device.3. The case of claim 2, wherein at least one of the perimetral fasteningmembers is centrally positioned on an upper edge of the second portion.4. The case of claim 3, wherein the at least one perimetral fasteningmember that is centrally positioned extends outwardly from the deviceprotecting surface and terminates in an inwardly extending lip.
 5. Thecase of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of perimetral fasteningmembers is operable to flex outwardly.
 6. The case of claim 5, whereinthe inwardly extending lip secures the computing device when thecomputing device is in communication with the device receiving surfaceof the second portion.
 7. The case of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcorner fastening members are disposed in opposing corners of the secondportion.
 8. The case of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cornerfastening members extend outwardly from the device protecting surfaceand terminate in a lip portion to secure respective corner portions ofthe computing device.
 9. The case of claim 8, wherein for each of theplurality of corner fastening members, an inwardly extending portion ofthe lip portion is operable to form a friction fit with the respectivecorner portion of the computing device.
 10. The case of claim 1, whereinthe central portion of each corner fastening member extends outwardlyfurther than the corresponding shoulder portions of each fasteningmember.
 11. The case of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cornerfastening members are constructed from material more rigid than aremainder of the second portion, and wherein a slit is positionedbetween the central portion and each shoulder portion.
 12. The case ofclaim 1, wherein the internal device receiving surfaces and the externaldevice protecting surfaces of each portion are flexibly connected alongadjoining edges through a pliable fastening member.
 13. The case ofclaim 12, wherein the pliable fastening member extends at least acrossone-half length of a total length of the adjoining edges.
 14. The caseof claim 13, wherein the pliable fastening member extends partially intoa recess of each of the first and second portions.
 15. The case of claim13, wherein the case is operable to pivot or rotate about an axis of thepliable fastening member between closed and open states.
 16. The case ofclaim 15, the first portion and the second portion each furthercomprising a plurality of perimetral fastening members; wherein in theclosed state, the perimetral fastening members of the first and secondportions are centrally positioned on opposing lateral edges and are incommunication to form a shell defined between adjoining external deviceprotecting surfaces of the first and second portions.
 17. The case ofclaim 13, wherein the pliable fastening member is integrally formed withthe first and second portions of the case or detachably connected to oneor both of the first and second portions.
 18. The case of claim 1,wherein the at least one of the first and second portions furthercomprise a structural reinforcement portion disposed on the externaldevice protecting surface internal to a perimetral edge.
 19. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising an external shield portion integrally formedwith or detachably connected to the first or second portions of thecase.
 20. The case of claim 19, wherein the external shield portioncomprises one or a plurality of impact resistant corners or perimetralmembers.